Two Month Anniversary

Our PNT journey began on July 13th in Glacier National Park. We hiked seven miles in the rain, to a designated campsite at Bowman Lake. Despite a rolling trail, in seven miles we experienced no net change in elevation. Our packs were heavy and wet, and my legs and back and neck ached after the short day on the trail. After a hasty meal in the chilly weather we dove into our sleeping bags before dark. I worried wild animals might visit our campsite in the night. In the morning we shared the communal cooking area with eight other hikers as we shivered in the damp morning air. Soon we packed up our gear and set off on the long climb to Brown Pass and our next designated campsite.

What a difference two months can make.

On September 13th, two states and over 700 miles later, we found ourselves in the Pasayten Wilderness of Washington State. On our two-month anniversary on the trail we hiked fifteen miles under gorgeous sunny skies. In that distance we climbed over 3000 feet in elevation to stunning Cathedral Pass. We dropped a short way down into a campsite of our choosing above upper Cathedral Lake in time to make a delicious meal before watching the dazzling sunset over distant Mount Baker. Later, snuggled in our sleeping bags, we lay out on wide, flat rocks and watched stars pop into view until they filled the dome of the night sky. Shooting stars cascaded overhead. Despite the elevation and the lateness of the season a warm breeze wafted across the exposed rocks and over our cheeks. My feet still ached, now the familiar throb of being freed from a long day of pounding the trail in hiking boots. I wondered, hopefully, if we'd awaken with any animal visitors nearby. Indeed, the next day we watched a group of six mountain goats, including a nanny and her kid grazing up the slope. Our only other company was a couple of climbers who spent the afternoon ascending one of the many rock spurs above the lake. The stunning views, the exposed openness of the alpine terrain, and the freedom from set schedules encouraged us to stay an extra day – a gentle start to month number three.

Looking west from Cathedral Pass, Pasayten Wilderness, Washington. (Our white tent is barely visible on the left side in front of the dark treeline).

Six mountain goats, including a nanny and her kid (seen in the lower left), visited us at Cathedral Pass.